Discover the Largest City in Indiana Now and in 2050

Written by Baylee Bunce
Updated: September 7, 2023
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Indiana, in the midwestern United States, is surrounded by Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. It is the 38th largest state in the country, in addition to being the 16th-most populated state. Indiana became the 19th state in 1816 when President James Madison signed the congressional resolution admitting it into the U.S. Nowadays, Indiana is famous for the Indy 500 held yearly at its state capital. Read to discover the largest city in Indiana and its potential for growth by 2050.

What is the Largest City in Indiana?

Dog Park Series - Indianapolis Park

Boasting a population of over 880,000 people, Indianapolis is the biggest city in the Hoosier State.

©f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana, with a population of 880,621, according to the 2022 U.S. census estimate. It is the 16th most populous city in the United States, second only to Charlotte in the southeastern United States. In terms of population, Indianapolis is the 3rd largest city in the Midwest.

Indianapolis Statistics and Economics

Traffic signs indicating the directions to Nashville and Indianapolis on highway 65, viewed from under a bridge in Louisville, Kentucky.

Indianapolis is actually the second capital of Indiana; the first was Corydon.

©Ivelin Denev/Shutterstock.com

Before the 1980s, Indianapolis relied on manufacturing before the rise of retail and services as its primary industries. The city is also a prime tourist spot catering to many different sports fans, including NASCAR, NFL, NBA, and more. Residents of Indianapolis primarily work in tourism, insurance, hospitality, meatpacking, and other industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The median household income of Indianapolis citizens is $54,321. Indianapolis offers a lower cost of living compared to similar metropolitan areas. For example, housing expenses are 17% lower than the national average, according to Payscale.

What Attracts People to Indianapolis?

Turn one - Indy

The Indy 500 is a world-famous automobile race held annually at Indiana’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

©Bryan Eastham/Shutterstock.com

With world-renowned sports events and teams like the Indy 500 and the Indianapolis Colts, there is always something exciting to watch in Indianapolis. Many people flock to the city for major sports events and large conventions.

Indianapolis is also home to many culturally stimulating museums and educational spaces, including the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Indiana State Museum. The Indianapolis Zoo is another popular attraction, with exhibits including the award-winning Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. This exhibit was designed to stimulate the abilities of orangutans and is home to one of the largest groups of these primates in any American zoo.

What Will Be the Largest City in Indiana in 2050?

Traffic signs indicating the directions to Nashville and Indianapolis on highway 65, viewed from under a bridge in Louisville, Kentucky.

Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana and is likely to remain so in the future.

©Ivelin Denev/Shutterstock.com

Indianapolis will likely continue to be the largest city in Indiana by the year 2050. With the Indianapolis metropolitan area expected to grow by 520,000 people by 2050, it is no surprise that Indianapolis will most likely remain the largest city in Indiana. Indianapolis is already much larger in population than many other cities in Indiana, with the second-largest city not even half the size of Indianapolis. Other cities that share the Indianapolis metropolitan area, such as the fifth largest city, Carmel, have not even broken 100,000 people.

Top 5 Largest Cities in Indiana: A Comparison

RankingCityPopulationAnnual Population Growth Rate (2022)Total Area (in miles)Median Household Income
#1Indianapolis887,661-0.8%361.57$54,321
#2Fort Wayne263,9141.5%110.64$53,978
#3Evansville117,291-1.3%47.32$45,649
#4South Bend103,436-0.3%35.47$46,002
#5Carmel99,7532.2%41.96$119,772

The photo featured at the top of this post is © f11photo/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Baylee Bunce is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily covering cats, gardening, travel, and geography. Baylee has been writing and researching about animals for 3 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Purdue University, which she earned in 2018. A resident of Indiana, Baylee enjoys working in her backyard garden and spending time with her cats, Stormi and Lady.

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